[Nick Soulis]

Series #69
Preliminary Round



2000 Baltimore Orioles
Record: 74-88
Finish: 4th in AL East
Manager: Mike Hargrove
Ball Park: Camden Yards
WAR Leader: Mike Mussina (5.6)
Hall of Famers: (3) Cal Ripken Jr, Mike Mussina, Harold Baines
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/2000.shtml

The 2000 Baltimore Orioles showcased a team filled with talent and potential. Led by veteran players like Cal Ripken Jr., Mike Mussina, and Brady Anderson, the Orioles had a strong core of experienced players. They also had rising stars in Melvin Mora and Jerry Hairston Jr., who provided youthful energy to the team. Offensively, the Orioles had a formidable lineup, capable of producing runs with power hitters like Albert Belle and Charles Johnson. While the team fell short of making the playoffs that year, finishing with a record of 74-88, the 2000 Baltimore Orioles left a lasting impression with their exciting brand of baseball and the potential for success in the seasons to come.

1927 Chicago White Sox
Record: 70-83
Finish: 5th in AL
Manager: Ray Schalk
Ball Park: Comiskey Park
WAR Leader: Tommy Thomas (7.9)
Hall of Famers: (3) Ray Schalk, Red Faber, Ted Lyons
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/1927.shtml

The 1927 Chicago White Sox were a talented and successful team that made their mark in baseball history. Led by legendary players like Ray Schalk, and Red Faber, the White Sox boasted a formidable lineup and a strong pitching staff. Their offense was highlighted by the power-hitting of first baseman Johnny Mostil and outfielder Happy Felsch, while Collins provided a steady presence at the plate and on the basepaths. On the mound, Faber and Dickey Kerr anchored the rotation, delivering impressive performances throughout the season. Although the 1927 White Sox fell short of winning the World Series, finishing with a record of 70-83, their exceptional talent and competitive spirit made them a memorable team in the annals of Chicago White Sox history.
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Game 1
At Camden Yards
Partly Cloudy 59
1927 White Sox.....................6
2000 Orioles..........................5
WP: T. Thomas (1-0) LP: M. Mussina (0-1) S: T. Blankenship (1)
HR: E. Sheely (1), J. Conine (1)
POG: Carl Reynolds (3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R)
1927 White Sox Lead Series 1-0

Game 2
At Camden Yards
Clear skies 55
1927 White Sox...................4
2000 Orioles........................7
WP: P. Rapp (1-0) LP: T. Lyons (0-1) S: B. Groom (1)
HR: M. Bordick (1)
POG: Mike Bordick (2-3, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 R)
Series Tied At 1

Game 3
At Comiskey Park
Partly Cloudy 51
2000 Orioles.........................6
1927 White Sox....................0
WP: J. Mercedes (1-0) LP: R. Faber (0-1)
HR: C. Ripken (1)
POG: Jose Mercedes (8 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K)
2000 Orioles Lead Series 2-1

Game 4
At Comiskey Park
Clear skies 55
2000 Orioles.........................6
1927 White Sox....................3
WP: S. Ponson (1-0) LP: S. Connally (0-1) S: B. Groom (2)
HR: B. Hunnefield (1), H. Baines (1)
POG: Sidney Ponson (6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K)
2000 Orioles Lead Series 3-1

Game 5
At Comiskey Park
Cool 42
2000 Orioles.........................4
1927 White Sox....................1
WP: M. Mussina (1-1) LP: T. Thomas (1-1) S: M. Timlin (1)
HR: A. Belle (1)
POG: Mike Mussina (8 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K)

2000 Baltimore Orioles Win Series 4 Games To 1

Baltimore, MD - In a thrilling best-of-seven series that pitted the 2000 Baltimore Orioles against the legendary 1927 Chicago White Sox, the Orioles emerged victorious, winning the series in just five games. Led by their dominant offense and the outstanding performance of Albert Belle, the Orioles proved that they could handle the Sox.

Game 1 at Camden Yards set the stage for an exciting series. Both teams displayed their offensive prowess, but it was the White Sox who came out on top, edging the Orioles by a score of 6-5. The White Sox's Carl Reynolds played a pivotal role in their victory, going 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Despite a strong effort from the Orioles' Jeff Conine, who hit a home run, it was not enough to overcome the White Sox's offensive onslaught.

In Game 2, the Orioles bounced back with a vengeance. Powered by a stellar performance from Mike Bordick, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, an RBI, and two runs scored, the Orioles secured a 7-4 victory. The Orioles' pitching staff, led by starter Pat Rapp and reliever Buddy Groom, kept the White Sox's potent lineup in check, earning them the win and tying the series at 1-1.

The series then shifted to Comiskey Park for Game 3, and it was all Orioles from the start. Behind an impressive outing from pitcher Jose Mercedes, who pitched eight scoreless innings while allowing just three hits, the Orioles cruised to a commanding 6-0 victory. Cal Ripken Jr. added a home run to the Orioles' offensive onslaught, giving them a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4 saw another solid performance from the Orioles. Sidney Ponson took the mound and delivered six strong innings, allowing just two earned runs on three hits. The Orioles' offense, led by Belle's teammate Brady Anderson, who hit a home run, contributed to a 6-3 victory. The Orioles' bullpen, anchored by Buddy Groom once again, sealed the win and gave the Orioles a commanding 3-1 series lead.

With the series on the line in Game 5, the Orioles turned to their ace, Mike Mussina, who delivered a masterful performance. Mussina pitched eight innings, allowing only one earned run on eight hits while striking out six. Belle's home run highlighted the Orioles' offensive output, and the team celebrated a 4-1 victory to clinch the series.

Albert Belle's incredible performance throughout the series earned him the well-deserved title of Series MVP. He slugged .700 with one home run, seven RBIs, five runs scored, and two doubles, demonstrating his impact on the Orioles' offense. Belle's contributions, along with the stellar performances from the pitching staff, propelled the 2000 Baltimore Orioles to victory over the vaunted 1927 Chicago White Sox.

Series MVP:

(.350, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 2 2B, 1 SB, .700 SLG)